It’s easy to forget about the world on Emirates’ international flights, especially when you’re spending time in the stunning A380 bar, but thanks to the Gulf carrier’s free WiFi service, you can stay in touch.
However, there is a catch. Must be a member of Emirates’ Skywards frequent flyer program.
Free internet access in business class and first class only If you are a Skywards member – otherwise it costs between 3 and 20 USD depending on the package you choose.
Here’s an overview:
- Skywards Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum members enjoy free text messaging throughout their flight, whether in Economy, Premium Economy, Business or First class. This includes apps like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, and Viber.
- Skywards Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum members traveling in First Class enjoy completely unlimited internet access
- Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members traveling in Business Class also enjoy completely unlimited internet access
- Skywards Platinum member travelers Any Classes can enjoy completely unlimited internet access
There’s nothing wrong with entering your frequent flyer numbers from a partner airline’s loyalty program, such as Qantas. It’s not Skywards or anything.
Tip: Make sure you have the . password You’ll need this to log into the free WiFi on board, so make sure you register it with your Emirates Skywards account. There is no way in the system to look up your password or set a new one, and the flight attendants are also not helpful in this regard.
At least you can watch live TV streamed from the BBC World Service, CNN International, Sky News Arabia and Sport 24 without having to log in to Skywards.
During a recent Emirates A380 flight from Sydney to Dubai, executive traveler I found the connection to be running at a decent speed. It certainly wasn’t fast, but it wasn’t slow either. We describe this as “patient and usable.”
The small WiFi icon at the top right of the Emirates WiFi Portal window always shows the number of active users, and the connection remained good even when sharing the connection with 30-60 other flyers .
That being said, I do admit that there were times during my flight when my WiFi connection would get slower and slower for no apparent reason until it became frustratingly unusable, and then it would eventually return to normal.
If you don’t have the appropriate Skywards status, or if you forget your password and can’t log in, you’ll experience the following issues:
- Unlimited text-only chat: $3-$6 depending on flight length
- Unlimited WiFi: $10-20 depending on flight length
Emirates WiFi Frequently Asked Questions
Does Emirates have in-flight Wi-Fi?
Yes, Emirates offers superfast WiFi on almost all flights. Both free access and paid plans are available.
On which Emirates flights is WiFi available?
All Emirates aircraft are equipped with in-flight internet. Whether you’re traveling on an Airbus A380 or a Boeing 777, you should be able to browse online at cruising altitude, barring technical failures, or while flying over restricted areas .
The Gulf carrier’s newest Airbus A350 aircraft, scheduled to enter service in mid-2024, will also be equipped with high-speed internet access in the form of Inmarsat’s Global Express (GX) satellite network.
How much does Emirates WiFi cost?
Prices for Emirates’ paid WiFi plans vary by Skywards membership level, travel class and route.
As a guide, the available plans are:
- Unlimited chat: Stay connected to all your favorite text apps (WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Line, Viber) for free during your flight.
- WiFi throughout the flight: USD $9.99 (AUD $14.50) – USD $19.99 (AUD $29) depending on flight length
- Easy Connect – Available in selected regions: 30 minutes without data limit USD $9.99 (AUD $14.50)
Does Emirates have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Emirates has two forms of free WiFi, but both are only available to Emirates Skywards members.
The first option is Free unlimited chatThis means Emirates Skywards Blue members traveling in Business Class or Emirates Skywards Gold Members traveling in Economy Class will be able to use WhatsApp, Messenger and other text services for free.
For those who want to access Free WiFi during flightthe requirements are:
- All Skywards members (Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum) enjoy unlimited free WiFi when flying First and Business Class.
- For economy passengers, only Skywards Gold and Platinum members enjoy unlimited free WiFi.
To take advantage of this offer, you must link your Skywards number to your booking at least 24 hours before takeoff. Once onboard, log in using your membership number and password.
How fast is Emirates WiFi?
Emirates WiFi speed is determined by a number of factors, the most important being the number of users connected at once. executive traveler I previously ran speed tests on the plane and downloads were between 5 and 10Mbps and uploads were just over 1Mbps. These speeds are perfectly fine for light browsing.
To determine the current network load, Emirates clearly displays the number of people currently connected. A green WiFi icon means your speed will increase, and a red WiFi icon means your speed may decrease depending on how many people are connected.
Do I need the Emirates app to use WiFi?
No, inflight WiFi access is independent from the Emirates app.
How do I access Emirates WiFi?
- Put your device in airplane mode and activate WiFi to connect to the OnAir network after takeoff.
- Log in as a Skywards member to see promotions and discounts, or continue as a guest
- If you have unlimited free internet, you will see that option
- If you’re an ineligible guest, use your card to pay for your WiFi plan
Will Emirates WiFi work throughout the flight?
Not exactly. Emirates’ in-flight internet works most of the time during the flight, but there are certain times when the connection is not active.
- When the airplane is below 10,000 feet (immediately after takeoff or before landing)
- When flying over geographically restricted areas
Can I use my Emirates WiFi quota on separate flights?
No, the Emirates WiFi plan is only valid per flight. If you have a connecting flight, you will need to repurchase access for the second flight.
Can I use my Emirates WiFi quota on separate devices?
Yes, paid WiFi plans are tied to your personal information. You can log on to your new device and continue your browsing session.
